Budget power conditioner choice

mca · « **on:** 18 Apr 2005, 09:07 pm »

I want to pick up a power conditioner but do not want to spend over $500.00. The unit will be used with the following pieces:

Mitsubishi 65" big screen
Hughes DirecTV receiver
Denon DVD2900 DVD
Tjoeb 4000 CD player

I plan to plug my Anthem processor and Butler amp directly into the wall. I do have dedicated 20A outlets for everything.

I am thinking of going with either the PS Audio UPC-200 or a Powervar ABC-1200-11. The Powervar is half the cost and I would use the additional funds to upgrade it with better outlets and etc.

Does anyone have any experience with the UPC-200, or better yet with both? Is there any thing else in this price range I should consider?

warnerwh · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 01:11 am »

Powervar,Oneac or Tripplite. The outlets are of good quality in both.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 05:16 am »

mca,

mca · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 06:20 pm »

warnerwh,

Do you have any specific reasons for your choice of those three brands?

lonewolfny,

Even at the Bolder discount, the Son of Q is out of my price range.

Thanks guys.

warnerwh · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 06:38 pm »

Those three brands can be had used for a fraction of their original cost and I suspect work better than most of the ones designed for audio systems. The Oneac and Powervar are required on some seriously expensive equipment to keep the warranty intact. No Monster products here. These things work for commercial uses and will certainly work with your system. Also I like the idea of having an isolation transformer. Just make sure you don't use them for your power amps as they're isolated enough and draw alot of current. For the money I doubt you can do better. They don't have as pretty of a faceplate but do their job.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 07:05 pm »

I use both a Powervar, and Tripplite units - cheap and cheerful.

I am confident that there is better out there, but for my $, this is a great way to get at least 50% of the way there, for pennies on the dollar.

fajimr · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 07:17 pm »

I've read this thread with some interest as I live in an older house with marginal wiring....

What I am wondering is why no one wants to use a conditioner/ surge protector with an Amp. Is there any reason why an Amp couldn't do better with 'cleaner' current? Or does the condition possibly rob too much? I'd appreciate some enligtenment on this or a pointer to where I could find some info.

thanks in advance

dave_c · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 07:35 pm »

I'm using a Powervar right now and like it quite a bit. I'd suggest trying your processor on it too. Since its not an amp, it probably won't suffer too much from current draw limitations. I think they buzz a little when there starved for current. When the gf plugs her curling iron into the bathroom socket, it starts buzzing. You might also consider 2 powervars to isolate the digital from the video and leave some overhead on the tranny's.

Look on eBay for the deals. Although the guy that sells on A'gon seems to have them constantly in stock.

Fajimr - The reason most don't like the idea of power amps on conditioners is that conditioners often limit current. Amps may need many times the current that conditioners can pass whic can limit the dynamics of the amp.

klh · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 10:00 pm »

Which specific models made by Powervar, OneAC and Tripplite would you recommend?

tvyankee · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 10:13 pm »

take a look at this

http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?group=1&sec=detail&id=100&ly=h

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/PANAMAX.html

good luck!

klh · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 10:29 pm »

Thanks

mca · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Apr 2005, 03:06 pm »

Thanks for the info guys. Is the case of the Powervar plastic? I assume it would be easy enough to paint black to blend in better with my system.

mca · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Apr 2005, 04:03 pm »

Is the case of the Powervar plastic? I assume it would be easy enough to paint black to blend in better with my system.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Apr 2005, 04:29 pm »

The case of my small 2amp Powervar is metal, not plastic, but should be just as easy to paint black, should you wish to - now, on my unit, there are no screws, it appears to have been riveted together, so I am not going to spray that.... since the gaps in the cover would allow paint into the interior...

carusoracer · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Apr 2005, 02:53 pm »

I'm looking at the PowerVar 1200 or the Blue Circle 86Mk3.
I know they are doing different things but I do not want to color or reduce sound quality?

mca · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 May 2005, 03:51 pm »

Received my Powervar a few days back and already notice a difference with the system plugged into it. I was most suprised that viewing of HD programming actually looks better. I could not have asked for more for the price

Now I am curious what sort of simple upgrades can be made to the unit? I know I want to apply some sort of dampning material to to the inside of the case as it seems pretty flimsy.

I did pull the screws out of the bottom of the case when I got it to have a look at the inside, but it still would not come off. Is there any trick to this, or did I just not fudge with it long enough?

Occam · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 May 2005, 05:35 pm »

Quote from: carusoracer

I'm looking at the PowerVar 1200 or the Blue Circle 86Mk3.
I know they are doing different things but I do not want to color or reduce sound quality?

For powering any component with a linear powersupply(typically with a transformer input ps) a balanced approach (blue circle) offers significant advantages, both technical and subjective, over isolation alone (powervar, oneac...).
Obviously, especially in the used market, the powervars, oneacs, etc, are far less expensive than the Blue Circle, and the prior certainly can offer substantial improvements.

From my own evaluations of isolation vs. balanced with Joshk, if you feel up to modding a powervar, oneac..., I'd say don't bother, if your intent is to improve your source components performance, build the Felicia DIY balancing power conditioner -
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=18441
and its linked builders thread.

I specifically didn't comment on switching ps supplied source components,
typically DVD players, because I've not personally verified whatever benefits might accrue to balancing vs. isolation alone.
FWIW